2002 Alfa Romeo 156 JTS from UK and Ireland - Comments

For the guy with the loose wiring in the speakers here's a tip... when you open the front doors you will see a socket of wires that plugs into the door; most likely the clips have come loose. It is simple to fix, but every now and then they will come loose again (Of course it is an alfa after all)!

Well here I am again...it's been about six months now and whilst I have learned to ignore the "motor control system failure" warning it really irritates me. However now I have bigger problems, the car has stopped going into 4th gear!

I don't care what anyone says; this is a 4 year old car that has done less than 65,000 Kms and these things should not be happening. I have had fault after fault and headache after headache. The 156 is a beautiful car to drive and it looks fantastic both in and out, but it is an absolute lemon in terms of mechanical reliability.

I will now utter the words that so many have uttered before me (Only I was too stupid to listen)... I will never buy another Alfa again.

I have a 2002 Alfa 156 2.0 JTS. I have gone over two years since I had a "Motor Controller Failure" message. When it originally happened, the dealer replaced some wiring. However, it just re-occurred today. My question is: can I re-set the computer myself without returning the car to the dealer? I am fairly sure it's basically OK and it's just the sensitive OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) system that has triggered the 'fault'. This would save a lot of time and hassle.

Here I am again (The guy with the problems). Almost 2 years I have had the car now and the electrical problems just keep on coming - but now I just sort of laugh about it.

In summary -

- Windscreen wipers do not turn off (ever!).

- Continual blowing of headlights and break light globes.

- Motor Control Failure message at least 2 days a week.

- Manual gearbox stripped several teeth.

- Heater/fan motor failed.

- Diff gear problems.

- On board computer screen failed.

- Lose speaker wiring.

This car has never at any time been 100% during the 2 years I have owned it - always something wrong just to annoy me. It is such a shame that such a well rounded car is let down by poor quality.

So many people told me the cars have problems and I didn't listen. But the good news is I have finally made up my mind, the car is going for sure; I will give Audi or VW a try - fingers crossed it works out.

Hello, it’s been a few years sine I started this discussion now! Now have a Lexus SC430 (after owning a Jag and a Mercedes) which is a very nice car, very comfortable, very reliable, however, dull in character unlike the Alfa. It goes like s**t off a shovel, but lacks the character and style of the Alfa. However, it’s all too easy to remember the good things about the Alfa, not the shocking after sales service. On the one day of the last year I owned my Alfa, when ran properly it was a perfect machine to drive. It was just the other 364 days a year that were a bit of a misery!

My wife drives a 2001 Alfa 156, which has been trouble free until now! It turns itself OFF usual early into a trip. It eventually restarts sometimes 1 min later or as long as 15 minutes later. Any ideas???

I own a 2003 156 2.4 DIESEL Sportwagon. This car is an absolute joy to drive with superb performance and fuel economy. One fault has occured since I have owned the car, when I rev above 4000rpm the Motor Control Unit Failure warning message comes on but then disappears when I change up to the next gear. I am not worried about this as it is more than likely due to an over sensitive OBD. I will only start to worry if fuel and/or oil consumption start to increase - often the best way to diagnose a real problem with any car. In terms of overall quality and the inevitable comparison between Alfa'a and BMW's - I have owned a 3 series and a 5 series. The former was an absolute death trap and a reliability nightmare, the latter had a braking system failure resulting in it being written off!

I have an 2003 Alfa Romeo 156 JTS..

I love it :D

It drives beautifully, looks beautifully, very comfortable and spacious..

I also have the Motor Control System Failure display that comes and goes as it pleases..

It will come and display itself every time I drive for week/s then disappear for week/s..

I got no idea what causes it, but my presumption is that of dirty cheap fuel (despite filling up with Premium High Octane) from the servo stations..

It sometimes annoys me when you turn on the car and beep, beep M-C-S-F :@grrrr.

I have however noticed a problem.. It occurs when I break on occasions.. The front right makes what sounds like a shrilly whining voice.. Viiiieeeeerrrrrrrrnnnnnnn LOL

I assure you my brake pads are very full..

My rims also get very filthy from all the brake dust and it is pain-some to clean and clean..

Do any of you know what could cause that noise??

Thanks :T.